Our third narrative of God being agape love is the story of grief. Jesus had three very good friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He often ate at their home and shared with them in fellowship. This is the same Martha who was busy and caught up in the anxiousness of the moment, and Mary who took time to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him. One day, while Jesus was a distance away, Lazarus became quite ill and they sent for Jesus. Luke 11:2,3 tells us, “This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So, the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’” And what does Jesus do? He stays where he is 2 more days before saying to His disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” (John 11:4-7) The story can be found in Luke 11 and again, I encourage you to turn there in your Bible and read it.
When Jesus arrives in Bethany Lazarus had already been in the tomb for 4 days. This home is only 2 miles from Jerusalem, so many Jews come to comfort Mary and Martha in the loss of their brother. Jesus arrives with his disciples and first sees Martha, and then Mary.
“When Jesus saw her weeping, [Mary] and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied.
Jesus wept. (John 11:33-35)
Ancient deities were often stoic. They didn’t express emotions and if they did, as in mythology, it wasn’t with the slightest bit of concern for humans. Anger, lightning bolts and demands on the part of the deities; fear, trembling and offerings of fruit, food and firstborns on the part of the worshippers. The crops, rains, fertility and blessings were all dependant on keeping the ‘gods’ happy. Judaism was the only religion that presented a relationship with mankind. It presented a God who was so invested in His creation that He desired true fellowship and friendship with them. And what do we find here? Jesus wept. GOD WEPT. He was deeply moved or felt deeply and strongly, and even though He knew that this sickness would not end in death just yet as He was going to resurrect Lazarus, He still felt true sorrow for the sadness and grief of those around Him; true sorrow from the heart of God.
We look forward to the birth of Christ, celebrated on December 25th because we do not worship a deity that is far from us. We worship the one and only true God who desires to be friends with us, because He is the God of agape love. He desires not a religion but a relationship with each of us. What concerns us, concerns Him. And He feels strongly and deeply; rejoicing and weeping with us. The God of deep and unfailing agape love.
Our song today is Your Love Awakens Me by Phil Wickham.